Greenville, known as Cotton Capital of the World

06/08/2010 |

DETC/AMSCUS/GOARMYED

Only 45 minutes east of Dallas, Greenville, Texas is the perfect launching pad for fun, relaxation or a little bit of both.

Visitors to the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum are inspired and uplifted by the Hall of Heroes display. Murphy fans travel from all over the world to learn more about this Hunt County native son who became America’s most decorated soldier of World War II. Exhibits include both his military career and his later stardom as a Hollywood actor.

In the historic downtown, you can unwind at a winery or do some casual shopping at antique and specialty stores. Beautiful architecture remains downtown from the city’s early years as the “Cotton Capital of the World,” where they still hold the record for the most bales of cotton compressed in a single day.

Odds are you’ll find some live music downtown in the evening that will suit your tastes; Greenville offers everything from Texas Country to symphony performances.

Speaking of “tastes,” you’re guaranteed a sweet experience at the Mary of Puddin’ Hill Chocolate and Fruitcake factory.

Greenville is less than 25 miles from five area lakes, which offer recreation and great fishing.

The Northeast Texas Genealogy and Local History Center at the Walworth Harrison Library has a comprehensive collection for historians and family researchers.

In nearby Commerce, Texas, kids will be enthralled at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum; the whole family will enjoy a visit to the Texas A&M — Commerce Planetarium.

Other attractions east of Greenville that make a nice day trip include the Victorian-era riverport city of Jefferson; a museum in Pittsburg, Texas where they display a flying machine that locals say beat the Wright Brothers to manned flight; and Canton, Texas where their First Monday Trade Days are recognized as the world’s largest flea market.

A short drive west into Dallas/ Fort Worth can take you to numerous art and history museums, including the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas which chronicles the last hours of President John F. Kennedy, and the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth with an unequalled collection of Western Art. Night life abounds, including on Greenville Avenue (named for the highway which was once the main road leading to Greenville). Six Flags Amusement Park in Arlington has been a favorite family experience for generations.

It’s no wonder Greenville celebrates “living on the edge” where the exciting Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex meets scenic East Texas!

Back at your home base in Greenville, several special summer events provide a wide spectrum of entertainment: